Rook x Lucanis Oneshots

Coffee & Pancakes

Her eyes drooped in restless weariness with sleep eluding her once again. Looking up at the stars twinkling between the floating, broken buildings. It still amazed the elf that even here in this Fade bound place, the time drifts to night as if it were any normal day in Thedas.

Esmeralda walked across the broken stones of the Lighthouse's courtyard, rubbing her arms against the cold air, almost wishing she brought a cloud to wrap her thin form. Except her mind was in what felt like a million places to even think about it at the time.

Her walk eventually stopped in front of the large building that was the kitchen. Once Esmeralda noticed that, she snorted before opening the door and letting out a sigh of relief to the warmth of the fire. Shutting the door, she made her way closer to the fire to lean against its mantelpiece. The thought of making herself coffee was tempting but it would be nowhere near as good as his.

Another sigh escaped her lips as she plopped herself into her usual chair at the kitchen table. Though this sigh was for another reason. Esmeralda glanced over to the door on the far right of the room.

Lucanis's room.

"Maker's breath." Esmeralda muttered in Antivan, closing her eyes. Even with all that was happening, her tired mind flickered to something that occurred only a few days prior.

His dark brown eyes softening, hinting to something teasing. Sensual even. His arm raised to touch the stone wall next to her head. Leaning close, close enough to smell the hint of coffee and leather. So close to feel the warmth of his breath against her skin. But it ends before it began as he walks away...sadness leaving a yearning.

"Couldn't sleep?"

A tiny shiver went down her spine at the deep, rich voice she knew all too well. Esmeralda opened her eyes closely, hearing the subtle scuffing noises of Lucanis's boots on the stone floor. He stood at the end of the table next to her, empty cup in hand and a concerned expression.

"Not really." She said while giving him a slight smile, wanting to reach out and hold his free hand but held back.

"I was getting another brew, I can pour you one as well." Lucanis said.

"That sounds amazing right now." Esmeralda chuckled. "I was going to make some myself but nothing beats yours in taste. Except maybe Cafe Pietra."

Lucanis grinned slightly, tilting his head as he walked by. "I'll take that as a compliment."

One thought ran through her mind, that she could watch this beautiful man for a lifetime and it would never be enough.

"For you." Lucanis said, placing a tray down. On it was a cup and pot, the one that she had gifted, piping hot with their favorite brew.

However he walked back to the stove, instead of joining her at the table. Esmeralda took a long sip, letting the coffee warm her up before deciding to grab her coffee and join him to notice he was mixing up some batter.

"I thought maybe you'd like something to enjoy with your coffee." Lucanis said, giving her a grin that only grew upon hearing the growling of his companion's stomach. "I guessed right. And I remembered how much you liked the fruit pancakes"

"Soon you are going to know me better than myself if we continue like this."

"And you of I."

That comment caused a hint of a blush to form on her cheeks, and she swore she saw his cheeks flush. Leaning against the counter to distract herself, swirled the remaining coffee in her cup, allowing her gaze to drift to Lucanis working his cooking magic. But it wasn't just his actions that she kept focused on.

It was how his dark hair shined in the light of the fire. How his brow furrowed slightly in concentration. The sparkle in his brown eyes. The way the corner of his lips curled upwards in his teasing grin. How his soft voice sounded when he spoke.

Would he want someone like her? Would she be able to love him? She never experienced anything like this before. Any form of romance in her life was for the job, a contract, nothing that she got to choose.

Then he appeared...and for the first time in her life she felt something like attraction. Almost love at first sight. All their night talks brought comfort and the feelings that were hard to describe. That kiss they nearly shared. Absent-mindedly Esmeralda put her cup down before placing her head on Lucanis's broad shoulder, red hair cascading down the purple vest.

She felt him jerk in surprise, wondering if she pushed a boundary she shouldn't have. Ready to back off, she felt an arm wrap around the front of her waist. His warm hand resting just above her hip to pull her closer.

A breath hitched in her throat at the simple gesture, Maker's breath, it hit her harder than a punch to the gut. Letting out a breath, she allowed herself to relax.

"Can I stay here? For a little while?" Esmeralda said, in barely a whisper.

"Stay as long as you wish. Or at least until your food is finished. I would hate for it to burn."

Hearing the playful jest in Lucanis's voice, Esmeralda couldn't help but laugh and close her eyes. "We wouldn't want that would we."

All she wanted was to lose herself in the smell of coffee and pancakes.